Wall-mounted light-transmissive structure

ABSTRACT

This architectural assembly includes a wall, and a structure supported on the wall over a top portion of the opening. The structure has a light transmission portion permitting light from the opening to pass therethrough. The structure comprises a lower and an upper frame structures. A transparent or translucent, preferably stained-glass, panel is secured between the cornice members using a silicone or other adhesive material. The upper and lower frame structures each have a groove therein facing the groove of the other that receives the adhesive and the glass. A top panel cover structure covers the upper frame stucture. A method for efficiently manufacturing the structure is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of decorative structural treatments for a wall of a building, and more particularly to a crown for use over windows and doors, and to methods of making such crowns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Especially in modern construction buildings, windows and doors are often a simple opening, or a frame mounted around the window or door.

Such a construction is not always visually adequate for the owner of the building. Frequently, the owner of a building will try to enhance the appearance of a window by hanging a simple or elaborate curtain assembly, but this seems to be temporary, and not a part of the architecture of the building.

A number of types of cornices or other enhancements of window or door construction have been proposed, such as that shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. 393,771. However, such systems have two drawbacks, generally. First, the cornice is a box that tends to block light from the window or door, making the room darker and without improving the light in the room in any way. Second, the manufacture of such cornices requires a somewhat complex fabrication procedure, making them relatively costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a window or door crown assembly that overcomes the limitations of prior art designs. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method of economically fabricating such an assembly.

According to the invention, an architectural assembly comprises a wall of a building having an opening therein through which light passes, and a cover structure is supported on the wall over a top portion of the opening. The cover structure has a light transmission portion permitting light from the opening to pass therethrough.

According to another aspect of the invention, a crown structure is provided for mounting over an opening, such as a door or a window, in a building. The crown structure supports a transparent or translucent material that allows light from the window or door opening to pass through, and preferably tints the light to produce a backlit color that can be seen inside the room.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cornice box comprises a lower cornice member and an upper cornice member, and a transparent or translucent, preferably glass, panel is secured between the cornice members using a silicone or other adhesive material. Preferably the upper and lower cornice members each have a groove therein that receives the adhesive and the glass, and a top panel cover structure.

It is further an object of the invention to provide for a process of manufacturing a cornice that comprises cutting a portion of molding material so as to yield two side portions and a front portion. The stock material has a milled portion defining a continuous groove therein and the cutting including at least two matching miter cuts. The side portions and the front portion are assembled so as to form a box structure in which the groove extends continuously. Panels of light transmissive material are secured in the groove so as to project away from the box structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a cornice comprises forming a top crown frame box by miter cutting three members with a miter cut from milled stock, or analogously formed stock having a continuous or repeating cross section, so that the three members are assembled into an upper cornice frame box having a downwardly disposed engagement recess, and forming a lower cornice frame box by miter cutting three members from other milled stock, or analogously-formed stock having a continuous or repeating cross section, and assembling them into a frame. Panels of transmissive material are then secured between the upper and lower cornice frames and the cornice is then mounted over a top portion of the opening in a wall of a building so as to permit light to pass through the light-transmissive material.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the foregoing disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be expressed in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a covering structure for an opening in a building wall according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the covering structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the covering structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the covering structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right side view taken from line C-C of FIG. 1, which is a mirror image of the left side view of the covering structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a covering structure for an opening in a building wall according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the covering structure of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the covering structure of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the covering structure of FIG. 7, which is a mirror image of the left side view of the covering structure of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the covering structure of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of a covering structure for an opening in a building wall according to another alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the covering structure of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the covering structure of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a right side view of the covering structure of FIG. 12, which is a mirror image of the left side view of the covering structure of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the covering structure of FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a covering structure for an opening in a building wall according to still another alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the covering structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the covering structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a right side view of the covering structure of FIG. 17, which is a mirror image of the left side view of the covering structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the covering structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is an elevational view of a covering structure for an opening in a building wall according to still another alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the covering structure of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the covering structure of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a right side view of the covering structure of FIG. 22, which is a mirror image of the left side view of the covering structure of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the covering structure of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a covering structure or cornice generally indicated at 1 is provided, supported over an opening 3 in the wall 5 of a building.

Covering structure 1 is made up of a top portion or structure 7 from which a transparent or translucent section generally indicated at 9 extends downwardly. Lower portion 11 is secured to the lower end of transparent or translucent portion 9.

As best seen in FIG. 2, top portion 7 is preferably made up of a box structure 13 and a top cover member 15, which is placed over the top of the box structure 13. Box structure 13 is made up of three separate portions 17, 19, and 21. According to the preferred embodiments these portions 17, 19 and 21 are all cut from a piece of the same milled stock or stock having a constant cross-section or repeating pattern. These parts 17, 19 and 21 are preferably miter-cut at each corner at a 45° angle to allow assembly of the box, which is secured by glue, finishing nails, or some other securing method, as is well known to those skilled in the art. The perpendicular by-cut ends 23 and 25 of the box structure 13 are preferably secured to the wall by a securement structure number 27 on each end 23 and 25, in which preferably a flange is secured by screws to both the respective members 17 and 19 and to the wall 5.

As best seen in FIG. 6, top structure 15 is preferably made up of a central cover portion 29 and an outer rail 31, which is cut from a milled stock of constant cross section and is also 45° miter-cut at the corners to form a shallow box structure having a downwardly depending lip 33 that extends downwardly in front of an upper portion of the box structure 13 when the top structure 15 is in place. The outer rail structure 31 is therefore made up of rail portions 35, 37 and 39 which together form a rectangular concavity and a rectangular downward extending lip 33 that engages the box structure 13 and prevents movement of the top structure 15 laterally relative to the window covering structure 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, a light transmitting portion 9 is preferably made up of a plurality of transparent or translucent material sections 41 to 49. The transparent portions of the light transmitting structure 9 are preferably formed of glass, and especially formed of stained glass of various colors that permit light that enters the building through opening 3 to pass therethrough. According to the preferred embodiment, the various portions 41 to 49 are secured spaced from each other by real or simulated lead generally indicated at 50. The result is that the light transmitting portion 9 forms a box of light transmitting material that at least partially overlies the opening 3 and allows light to pass therethrough. The edge 51 of the light-transmissive portions 49 in contact with wall 5, and the ends 23 and 25 of box structure 13, and the ends of lower structure 11 all contact the wall 5 in a flush manner, so that no light passes between the wall 5 and the covering structure 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the light transmitting portion 9 extends downwardly from a lower end of the upper box structure 13 and supports lower portion 11, which is preferably made up of three sections of a milled material of constant cross-section, miter-cut at the corners thereof, and engaging the wall at one end thereof. The three sections 53, 55 and 57 of lower structure 11 form a lower frame of the light transmitting portion 9, so that the appearance of the covering structure 1 is one in which light passes through a transmissive material which is framed by the top and bottom portions 11 and 13.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the light transmitting structure is secured in a recess 61 in the top structure 13. Each of the subsidiary members 17, 19 and 21 of box structure 13 has a recess 61 and the various parts of the light transmitting portion 9 are secured in engagement therewith by a resilient adhesive material 63 such as silicone adhesive or other material well-known to those in the art for securing transparent materials such as glass in such a structure. The constituent members 53, 55, and 57 of lower structure 11 are also provided with a respective recess 65 in which similar resilient material secures the lower end of the light transmitting structure 9 to the lower box structure 11 so that it is supported thereby.

According to an aspect of the invention, a method of fabricating the cover structure is also provided. In this method, upper structure 13 is fabricated by cutting a length of material so as to form the box structure of 13. The material is miter-cut twice at appropriate angles to form the middle portion 21 of the box structure, and twice to form the corner engagement parts of the side portions 17 and 19. The angles are such that, viewed from above, the portions 17 and 19 meet center portion 21 at a 45° angle. The actual angle relative to the perpendicular plane to a flat side of the material varies dependent on the upward angle of outward extension of the side portions 17 and 19 and the center portion 21 that causes the box structure to flare upwardly. In addition to those miter-cuts, the wall-engaging portions of the side members 17 and 19 are cut perpendicular to the material to yield ends 23 and 25 that engage the planar surface of wall 5 flushly, with no space therebetween. The material used is preferably a molding material or milled material having a constant cross section, or a repeating pattern in its cross section, such that the miter-cuts can be made and the parts 17, 19 and 21 be joined at the corners of the box structure 13 so that the cross sections meet without exposing any ends of the cut portions. The assembly of the portions 17, 19 and 21 is accomplished with typical securement methods, preferably finishing nails and/or adhesive.

The lower portion 11 is preferably prepared in a similar way by cutting a length of milled or constant cross-section material with two 45° miter cuts to form middle portion that allow the assembly of the box structure of the lower portion 11 and a perpendicular abutment and facing the wall.

Once the box structure 13 and the lower structure 11 are fabricated, the glass or other transparent or translucent part of the light transmitting structure 9 is secured therein by adhesive 63 and 67, as best seen in FIG. 6, in respective recesses in each structure. This adhesive is adequately strong to support the weight of the lower structure 11 and the light transmission structure 9 when box structure 13 is affixed to the wall 5. Additional support structure may be employed, if desired, such as brackets connecting box structure 13 to lower structure 11 on the wall-facing side of portion 9.

Once the top structure 13, light transmitting portion 9, and the lower structure 1 1 are secured together, this assembly is then secured to the wall using support brackets 27 with at least one on each side of the covering structure 1. After attachment of the covering structure 1 to the wall, the top portion 15 is placed thereon to complete the installation.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the window covering structure of the invention on wall 5 with opening 3 therein. The window covering structure 71 comprises a top box structure 73 with a lower end 75 from which a light transmitting structure 77 made up of a plurality of transparent or translucent light transmitting elements 79 extends downwardly. Secured to a lower end of the light transmitting structure 77 is a lower box structure 81 secured thereto and abutting the wall 5. The assembly and structure of the embodiment of FIG. 7 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4, but a material having a constant, but different, cross section is used for the formation of the top box structure 73 and the bottom box structure 81, miter-cut at the corners to create the box structure as described above. A top cover structure 83 is also similarly configured having a central plank 85 and an outer rail of a miter-cut material numbers 87, 89 and 91. As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, the top portion 77 is fabricated from three separate members 93, 95 and 97, and the lower portion 81 is fabricated from three miter-cut sections of milled material 99, 101 and 103. The various light-transmissive elements are preferably stained glass of different colors, and are separated from each other by lead, as in the previous embodiment.

FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate a further alternate embodiment, wherein similar parts are provided with similar reference numbers to FIGS. 7 to 11. In this embodiment, a different milled material having a different constant cross section is used for the upper end of lower portions 73 and 81. A different pattern of light transmitting materials is used for intermediate light transmitting portion 77. The top structure has an outer rail of material having a different constant cross section as well.

FIGS. 17 to 21 show a further alternate embodiment, wherein the material used to fabricate the covering structure 1 has not a constant cross section, but a repeating pattern thereon, as best seen in FIG. 17. This repeating pattern and the dimensions of the structure 1 are preferably selected so that the miter cuts at the lateral left and right ends of the front part 107 of upper box structure 109 meet without exposing any of the miter-cut ends of the three members that are assembled into the upper box structure 109.

The lower box structure 111 is similarly configured of three different miter-cut sections of constant cross-section milled material, all of which have a groove therein secured to the lower end of the transparent or translucent light transmitting structure 113. The top structure 115 also uses a material of a different constant cross section for the outer rail 117 thereof as well.

FIGS. 22 to 26 show a further embodiment wherein a milled material with a repeating cross section (in this case a coiled rope pattern) is used for the substituent members 121, 122 and 123 of upper box structure 125. As with the previous embodiments, the miter cuts indicated at 126 in FIG. 24 are selected such that the end cuts of the material do not expose the surface of the miter-cut, and the materials, as cut, match at the corners.

Different cross-section materials are used for the lower portion 127, which is provided by miter-cutting three members 128, 129 and 130 and assembling them into a box, which is supported below a light transmitting structure 131 extending downward from the upper box structure 125 and supported thereon.

An advantage of the covering structures of the present invention is that the structures can be added to existing buildings that have relatively simple structure so as to impart the appearance of more complex and decorative architectural elements that traditionally are part of the original construction of the house, such as a window casement or a door frame with detailed molding.

In an alternate application, a covering structure as disclosed herein, instead of being mounted over a window or door, may be mounted to a wall of a building as a mantel or a shelf. Where the structure, such as the structure of FIG. 1, is used as a mantel, it is preferably combined with a mantel kit of a width that conforms to the dimensions of lower portion 11 as with a conventional mantel. Mantel kits suitable for combining with the covering structures of the present invention include those sold by Ornamental Mouldings, 3804 Comanche Road, P.O. Box 4068, Archdale, N.C., under the trademark FIRELIGHT™. Any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be effectively used in such applications.

Where the top covering is used in a situation where there is no light or not much light to pass through the light-transmissive portion of the covering structure, such as use as a mantel or as a shelf that does not overlie a light source, then preferably electric lighting is installed inside the structure so as to backlight the light transmissive material, enhancing the appearance of the covering structure.

The terms used herein should be understood to be terms of description instead of terms of limitation, as those of skill in the art with this disclosure before them will be able to make changes and modifications therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. An architectural assembly comprising: a wall of a building; a structure supported on the wall, said structure comprising first and second laterally spaced side members secured in engagement with and projecting outwardly from the wall, and a cross member extending laterally therebetween and spaced from the wall; and a light transmission portion permitting light from the opening to pass therethrough supported on at least said cross member and extending downwardly therefrom.
 2. The architectural assembly of claim 1 wherein the wall has an opening therein through which light passes, and the structure is mounted on the wall so that said light transmission portion overlies a top portion of the opening.
 3. The architectural assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second side members and cross member together form an upper structure, and the structure further comprises a lower structure secured to a lower end of the light transmission portion.
 4. The architectural assembly of claim 3 wherein the upper and lower structures are formed of material having a continuous or repeating cross-section.
 5. The architectural assembly of claim 4 wherein the upper structure has a downwardly disposed recess and the lower structure has an upwardly disposed recess, and the light transmission portion is secured in said recesses.
 6. The architectural assembly of claim 2, wherein said first and second side members and said cross member together form a box structure.
 7. The architectural assembly of claim 6, wherein the light transmission portion comprises one or more plates of light-transmissive material extending downward from the side member and first member.
 8. The architectural assembly of claim 7, wherein the plate or plates have a lower edge, and a lower structure is secured to the lower edge.
 9. The architectural assembly of claim 8, wherein the lower structure comprises two side members and a front member each supported below a respective corresponding member of the first portion.
 10. The architectural assembly of claim 9, wherein the side members and the front members are each formed of sections of material of constant or repeating cross section.
 11. The architectural assembly of claim 9, wherein the plates are secured by adhesively with said upper and lower structures.
 12. The architectural assembly of claim 2, wherein the cover structure has a top panel supported over the upper structure so that light from the opening does not pass above said upper structure.
 13. The architectural assembly of claim 1, wherein an electrical light source is supported between the cross member and the wall so as to transmit light through the light transmissive portion.
 14. A method of fabricating a cover structure for a wall in a structure, said method comprising: cutting a portion of molding material so as to yield two side portions and a front portion; said stock material having a milled portion defining a continuous groove therein and said cutting including at least two matching miter cuts; assembling the side portions and the front portion so as to form a box structure in which the groove extends continuously in a lower portion thereof; securing panels of light transmissive material in said groove so as to project downwardly away from the box structure.
 15. The method of claim 14, and further comprising; cutting a second portion of a second molding material so as to form two second side portions and a second front portion, said cutting including at least two matching miter cuts; assembling the second side portions and the second first portion so as to form a frame structure; and securing said frame structure to lower edges of said plates so that the frame structure, and the first and second side portions, and the first and second front portions align with each other.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second molding material has a groove therein and the plates are secured therein.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the plates are secured to the box structure using a silicone adhesive.
 18. The method of claim 14, and further comprising: securing a top member over the box structure on a side thereof opposite the light transmissive panels.
 19. The method of claim 18, and further comprising: forming said top member of a center number and two top side members and a top front member, said top side members and top front members being cut from molding material and being sized to fit outside an upper edge of the box structure.
 20. The method of claim 14, and further comprising: securing said box structures to a wall of a building having an opening therein such that the light transmissive portions are supported in front of the opening.
 21. An ornamental design of cornice structure as disclosed and described in regards to FIGS. 1 to 6 herein, FIGS. 7 to 11 herein, FIGS. 12 to 16 herein, FIGS. 17 to 21 herein, or FIGS. 22 to 26 herein. 